History of the Library

The History of the Derry Public Library

The Derry Public Library opened on August 10, 1905 when Honorable R. W. Pillsbury donated $1000 to the town. The town appropriated an additional $500 to furnish rooms in the Adams Memorial Building to start a library. Reverend W. E. Gaskin was appointed the first librarian.

In 1926 Henry F. MacGregor’s will instructed his widow to purchase land and build a new library. The library was constructed on the site of the former Boyd home and formally dedicated on January 14, 1927. A stained glass window depicting the MacGregor coat of arms was installed in the rear wall of the new building as a memorial to Henry.

In 1977, the Board of Library Trustees obtained a federal grant of $25,000 to finish the basement of the library for a children’s room. As the population of Derry grew, so did the need for expanding the library.

In 1989, Paul Collette, Derry’s first mayor, became the driving force behind getting the appropriate funds for the 15,000 square foot library expansion. The new Derry Public Library opened March 8, 1990 with a total area of 22,771 square feet. Since then the library’s collection has nearly tripled.

Amid controversy over whether the new building would be located in Derry or East Derry, the town voted on June 26, 1901 to build the facility on property donated by Rosencrans Pillsbury.

The Adams Memorial Building, later also called the “Opera House”, quickly became the social center of Derry.

The Derry Public Library opened its doors in the Adams Memorial Building, August 10, 1905. Rosencrans Pillsbury also gave $1,000 to buy the first books. A town appropriation of $500 furnished the space.

Rev. William Gaskin, a Universalist minister, was appointed librarian; his daughter Elsie Gaskin, assistant. The Reverend resigned after the first six months because of ill health and Miss Elsie Gaskin was appointed librarian.

The book collection numbered 1,229 and in the first year 922 cards were issued and 9,747 books loaned. This patronage showed the popularity of the library. It was felt the new library would supply a much needed factor in development of the educational and literary tastes and habits of the community.

In 1923, wealthy capitalist and philanthropist Henry F. MacGregor died and left provisions in his will for the construction of a new building to house the library, as well as for an adjoining public park. Henry’s widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens MacGregor, oversaw the fulfillment of the terms of Henry’s will

A parcel of land was purchased on East Broadway, the main street through the center of town. An attractive red brick building, designed by architect George G. Adams, was constructed on the site.

The entire project involved an investment of approximately $67,000. The new building was formally dedicated on January 14, 1927.

Photo of the interior of the library. The sign under the window reads, “Only clean hands may touch these books.”

Of particular note was a stained glass window taken from the MacGregor home in Houston, TX, depicting the MacGregor coat of arms, which was installed in the rear wall of the new building as a memorial to Henry. The photo here shows the MacGregor window in its current location in the New Hampshire Room.

Photo of the interior of the library prior to the addition. The window in the background is the MacGregor stained glass window.

The fireplace of tapestry bricks and fixtures were the gift of Mrs. Elsie Gaskin Griffin, former librarian. Directly over the fireplace is a picture of Mr. MacGregor painted from memory by his widow.

As the population of Derry grew, so did a need for expanding the library. In 1977, the Board of Trustees obtained a federal grant of $25,000 to finish the basement of the library for a Children’s Room.

Then, in 1989, Paul Collette, Derry’s first mayor, became the driving force behind the acquisition of funds for a 15,000 square foot expansion, more than quadrupling the space. A $2,345,000 bond issue was approved in October, bids were let in March, and construction began in May.

The architectural firm of Ingram-Wallace of Manchester and the construction company of DCM North of Hooksett created the library we enjoy today. The new building opened March 8, 1990.